The Estevan Police Service, and the community as a whole, has been mourning the death of Const. Jay Pierson.
Pierson spent nearly four decades living in Estevan, after his family moved to the community in 1984. In 1998, he joined the Estevan Police Service, and was one of their longest-tenured members.
He became a trained investigator in child abuse, cyber crime, fraud, forensics and major crimes.
As a detective with the EPS, he was involved with numerous investigations. He was also part of the Combined Traffic Services of Saskatchewan’s Southeast Unit. And in 2017, he became the EPS’s school resource officer, a natural role since he studied education at Brandon University before ultimately opting for a career in law enforcement.
He also served as the president of the Estevan Police Association, and was on the Saskatchewan Association of Police Officers board.
Pierson had been on leave since 2017 due to post-traumatic stress disorder.
In the community, Pierson was also a leader. Each year, he captained a team of local first responders who would raise funds for Movember by growing moustaches. The foundation raised money for the fight against cancer and for men’s mental health initiatives.
It was particularly meaningful for Pierson, as his father Jerry battled prostate cancer for several years.
Jay Pierson would often be the top fundraiser for Movember in the Estevan area, and his team would usually finish first as well.
He was also on the board for the Envision Counselling and Support Centre.
Flags were flying at half-mast in front of several buildings in Estevan on Thursday and Friday after word of Pierson’s passing spread across the community.
Tributes poured in for Pierson from the community since word of his passing began to filter out Thursday, and law enforcement agencies have been passing on their condolences. Many people have posted a blue ribbon in honour of him on social media.
The tributes talked about what a dedicated officer Pierson was, how he was loved by his family and friends and how he was a big part of the community.
Pierson’s friend, former Estevan resident Brad Chapman, performed Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven in honour of the long-time EPS officer in a video posted to YouTube.
